Since the beginning of April until the end of October, all those who are staying in Florence have the opportunity to visit a charming park located north of the city center. We are in Pratolino (Vaglia), on top of one of the innumerable hills that distinguish the Tuscan countryside and which are crossed by wonderful panoramic roads, where the simple act of travelling becomes a great pleasure.
It is here that you will find the Medici Park of Pratolino, and enormous garden surrounding the modern Villa Demidoff. This is a magical place with an ancient history that hosted some of the most important Florentine noble families and whose decorations were made by prestigious artists. Today, it is also the day trip destination chosen by hundreds of people who wish to spend a relaxing afternoon under the trees' shadow and who are always left speechless in front of the incredible beauty of the artistic frame they see around them.
The Park is situated in front of a Medici Villa built in 1568 by Buontalenti, who worked for Francis I. He wanted to make a luxurious and richly decorated building, where art would mix with nature and
science to create a fairytale place. Its enormous "garden of wonders" extended for 20 hectares and included fountains, games of water, labyrinths, artificial caves, magnificent gardens and some impressing artworks.
However, the building was abandoned following the death of Francis I and his wife and the first restoration works were carried out in the 19th century by the Lorraines, who almost demolished it completely. The family sold the property to a Russian prince called Pavel Demidoff in 1872 and it was him who built his own villa above the reamins of the previous strusture. This new Romantic-style villa was then bought by the Province of Florence in 1981 and in 2013 the site has been included in UNESCO's "World Heritage Sites" with other Medici Villas in Tuscany.
Hopefully, the wonderful Park still conserves some of the wonderful Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. The most famous one is certainly the statue of the "Apennine Colossus" made by Giambologna in 1580 ca. representing the allegory of the mountain as a giant who seem to come out from the lake waters. The sculpture also hides some caves and rooms which are accessible through an internal staircase.
Furthermore, this splendid place is ideal for trekking and nordic walking lovers, who can enjoy its nature at the fullest. As the Park is a natural reserve, it also hosts many protected animal species, small woods and century-old trees. The huge garden is the perfect spot to choose for a picnic or a relaxing day out with your family, especially on sunny days!
If you are looking for a property to rent for your stay, we suggest booking one of our countryhouses, like Villa Mugello, Villa Caruso and Villa Tenuta Lonciano, or our Suite Michelangelo if you prefer staying in Florence's center.
© Alice Pilastri
